About the Lomita Railroad Museum

Irene Lewis and Little Engines

The Lomita Railroad Museum was the first of its kind west of Denver, Colorado. It was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Irene Lewis who donated the Museum to the City of Lomita in honor of her late husband, Martin Lewis, in 1967. It was a rather natural thing for Mrs. Lewis to do since she had been a dedicated railroader and spent many years building Little Engines, a business devoted entirely to developing and manufacturing miniature steam operated locomotives which were sold all over the world. The museum proudly displays some of these locomotives.

The Museum was built in 1966. Much research and study was given to depot structures before the final home for the Museum was chosen. Mrs. Lewis chose to copy the Boston & Maine's Greenwood Station at Wakefield, Massachusetts, which was built before the turn of the century. The Museum has been referred to as a "work of art". Everyone who worked on the building was an artist in his line. This of course includes John W. Gallareto, the designer and builder. No expense was spared to produce a proper and appropriate treasury to house the valuable historical items on display in the Museum.

And of course who can forget the 72 x 25 ft. Railroad Mural that used to decorate the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Narbonne Ave. Postcards of the old mural are available at the museum.

Mural formerly at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Narbonne Ave.

Building toward the Future

The Lomita Railroad Museum continues its building toward the future.

Our first expansion project was to construct a 35 ft tall water tower adjacent to the locomotive. Water towers were critical to the operation of locomotives in the steam railroading era. This project was completed in 2001.

Soon after, the Irene Lewis park was extensively landscaped. The retaining wall around the park was replaced and water, power and drainage infrastructure were installed in preparation for the future Museum expansion.

In 2005, the Museum was awarded a state grant by California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) through the California State Library to develop architectural plans for a new facility which would meet the following critical needs:

an expansion to the current museum for additional display, research, storage, work areas, office space, and other

an educational center able to accommodate class size student groups for hands-on activities and programs

a community center able to accommodate the many unmet needs in the City for meeting space and community activities

a home for the Lomita Historical Society

The rendering below shows the proposed expansion when complete. Expansion of the museum will allow us to showcase many more railroad related artifacts that we have in storage waiting to be enjoyed by the public. The expanded facility will also allow us to provide educational programming to larger student groups and serve as a community center for the City.

The expanded facilities at the Lomita Railroad Museum will provide greater enjoyment and educational benefits to all who visit the Museum and are sure to bring many more returning visitors.

Lomita Railroad Museum — "Charming"

"The scene resembles a rendering from a children's book: Sequestered on a suburban side street is a small park with a Victorian-style depot and a giant black locomotive. The grounds feel like a stage set—with a water tank above—and concealed speakers broadcast the sounds of a live steam engine. Glass cases inside the museum overflow with such collectibles as brass switch keys and conductor lanterns. Be sure to stop by the superb little toy shop."